Addiction Therapist (Bachelors Level)

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Physical Standards: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. English Language Proficiency: AT/LMAT candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: Hold a bachelor’s degree in drug and alcohol studies or a related behavioral health field from an accredited college or university. In some jurisdictions, individuals may not be required to hold a bachelor’s degree to be licensed in Alcohol and Drug Treatment. VHA will not waive education requirements even if the candidate has a license that does not require a bachelor’s degree. Foreign Education. There is no substitution for foreign education for this occupation; therefore, foreign education evaluation is not applicable. Licensure: Individuals appointed or reassigned to an AT position in the GS-0101 series must: Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia to practice in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment; AND Complete one of the following: International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium, Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Certification; or National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, National Certified Addiction Counselor Level 1. Loss of License or certification: In collaboration with HR Office staff, management officials must immediately relieve employees of the duties and responsibilities associated with the occupation who fail to maintain the required licensure or certification, which may also result in separation from employment. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Addiction Therapist (Bachelor’s Level) GS-05 Experience. The entry level assignment is used for ATs who are licensed with less than one year of experience. There is no experience outside of the basic requirements. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). None Addiction Therapist (Bachelor’s Level) GS-07 Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade; OR Education (Advanced Entry Level Placement). Applicants who meet the GS-05 grade level may be appointed at the GS-07 grade level if they possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a major field of study in a drug and alcohol studies or a related behavioral health field with an exemplary academic record as demonstrated by: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (“B” or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on four years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum; OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (“B+” or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final two years of the curriculum; OR Class Standing: Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university or major subdivision based on completed courses. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience/education requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs. Knowledge of principles, concepts and methods of counseling and therapies used in treatment of individuals with SUDs. Knowledge of appropriate documentation of substance use history and treatment. Ability to identify patients who are in psychological distress. Addiction Therapist (Bachelor’s Level) GS-09 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of coexisting medical or other mental health disorders as interrelated to SUDs. Ability to complete assessments of substance use disorders, treatment planning and continued care planning. Ability to develop and maintain effective working or therapeutic relationships with multidisciplinary staff, Veterans and their families, from various backgrounds and community resources to ensure appropriate referrals. Preferred Experience: Licensed/certified in addiction specialty care Experience functioning as a part of a multi-disciplinary team Experience in the provision of evidence-based assessment and psychosocial interventions for addiction Experience employing measurement-based care in a clinical setting Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-09. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.
Provide addiction therapy, which is a broad range of interventions for treatment of substance use disorders built on an understanding of appreciation of & ability to use contributions of evidence-based addiction & behavioral health counseling models as applies to modalities of care for individuals, groups, families, couples and significant others. Using methods sensitive to individual client characteristics & influence of significant others, as well as clients cultural and social context.